Villager charged with first-degree battery

Tuesday

May 9, 2017 at 6:56 PM

A Hot Springs Village man is being held in lieu of $7,500 bond in Garland County jail after allegedly attacking another Village resident Sunday, beating the victim in the face with a rock and biting the man's thumb off.

Samuel T. McKaig, 54, of Agua Vista Lane, was arrested by Hot Springs Village police shortly after noon and charged with first-degree battery. The Class B felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He remained in custody Tuesday and is set to appear May 22 in Garland County District Court.

According to court documents, Village police responded to a report of a disturbance on Hartura Way. Officers found a man on the ground covered in blood. Moments later, a vehicle driven by McKaig allegedly pulled up. McKaig was soon taken into custody.

The victim was transported to CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs for treatment of multiple injuries, including a severed thumb, bite marks and severe lacerations to the face and head, the affidavit says.

The defendant allegedly swerved near two pedestrians on Hartura, leading the victim to yell at the driver. The driver then reportedly backed up and confronted the victim.